How to Start a Plastic Surgery Practice: The Quick Start Guide (2025)

Starting a plastic surgery practice is a major milestone that blends clinical skill with entrepreneurial vision. Whether you're a recent fellowship graduate or an experienced surgeon branching out on your own, success depends on thoughtful planning, smart investments, and a strong team. PS² stands out as one of the only consulting teams committed entirely to the business of plastic surgery, nothing else

Planning and Business Strategy

Define Your Business Model

  • Cosmetic only, insurance-based reconstructive, or a hybrid

  • Include nonsurgical services for cash flow flexibility

Build a Pro Forma Budget

  • Forecast 12 months of revenue and expenses

  • Include staff salaries, rent, marketing, supplies, and technology

  • Allocate reserves for unexpected costs

Research Your Market

  • Identify competitors and service gaps in your area

  • Define your unique selling proposition (USP)

  • Understand patient demographics and referral sources

Planning and Business Strategy

Form a Legal Entity

  • Choose between LLC, S-Corp, or PC based on your state

  • Register for an EIN and open a dedicated business bank account

Secure Funding

  • Explore SBA loans, bank financing, or hospital affiliations

  • Understand startup costs: build-out, equipment, and staffing

Obtain Insurance and Licenses

  • Malpractice, general liability, workers comp

  • State medical license and DEA registration

Office Location and Facility Planning

Choose the Right Space

  • Consider visibility, accessibility, and nearby referral sources

  • Budget for build-out, signage, and furnishings

Review the Space Plan

  • Consult room, procedure room, recovery, photo room, MedSpa space

  • Plan for future growth or adding providers

Hiring and Staffing Timeline

Key Roles to Hire First

  • Patient care coordinator

  • Front desk receptionist

  • Medical assistant or nurse

  • Insurance and billing specialist (if applicable)

When to Hire

  • Start recruiting 60 to 90 days before opening

  • Train staff on systems, scripts, and service protocols

Technology and Operations

Choose Core Systems

  • EMR and practice management software

  • Phone system with call tracking and texting

  • HIPAA-compliant email and cloud storage

Set Up Policies and Procedures

  • Intake and consultation workflows

  • Follow-up care and patient satisfaction processes

  • Payment and cancellation policies

Branding and Marketing Launch Plan

Build Your Online Presence

  • Domain name and website with optimized service pages

  • Professional photography and surgeon bio

  • Google Business Profile and social media setup

Pre-Launch Marketing Timeline

  • Begin SEO and content marketing 3 months before opening

  • Run awareness campaigns on social media

  • Network with referring physicians

Compliance and Credentialing

Insurance Credentialing (if applicable)

  • Secure an address and phone number before starting the process

  • Apply 90 to 120 days in advance. some will take longer

  • Track progress with payers

Legal and Clinical Readiness

  • HIPAA, OSHA, and informed consent documents

  • State board inspection or accreditation if offering surgery in-office

This Quick Start Guide offers a high-level overview of what it takes to launch a plastic surgery practice, but it’s not all-encompassing. Every market, surgeon, and vision is unique. Be wary of “blueprints” that promise one-size-fits-all solutions; the most successful practices are built on personalized strategy, specialty insight, and hands-on support.

If you want help with strategy, financial modeling, staffing support, and marketing that drives consults, schedule a call to work with the experts in plastic surgery. Our plastic surgery consultants can be your practice startup experts. We’ve helped dozens of surgeons turn a vision into a fully operational practice, with structure, systems, and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions: Starting a Plastic Surgery Practice

  • Most practices take 6 to 12 months from initial planning to seeing patients. Timelines depend on licensing, build-out, credentialing (if accepting insurance), and equipment delivery. Starting early with PS² can help avoid delays.

    • Underestimating startup costs

    • Hiring too late or without clear roles

    • Failing to plan a pre-launch marketing strategy

    • Choosing the wrong EMR or billing system

    • Not tracking metrics from day one

  • t really depends. Revenue varies based on services, location, and marketing. Many new practices generate between $400,000 to $1.2 million in their first year. Cosmetic-heavy practices with strong branding and consult conversion tend to scale faster than insurance-based ones.

  • Focus on procedures that:

    • Have high demand in your area

    • Align with your surgical strengths

    • Are efficient and profitable

    Common initial offerings include breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, and nonsurgical treatments such as injectables.

  • Startups often lease for flexibility and lower upfront costs. If you’re planning a large-scale or surgical facility, owning may be worth considering long term. Make sure the space is zoned and meets healthcare compliance standards.

  • If you want to save time, avoid costly mistakes, and launch with confidence, YES! Consultants like PS² can guide you through budgeting, staffing, EMR selection, compliance, and patient acquisition strategy.